POST GAME: Nuggets Fall to Grizzlies in Mile High Matinee

Today, the Nuggets played the Memphis Grizzlies for their third game in four days in a packed Pepsi Center, but ultimately fell to Memphis, 105-98.

Before today, the Nuggets were 0-11 this season when they score under 100 points and tonight was no different as they fell to 0-12 to the Grizzlies in a Mile High Matinee.

The Nuggets were led by Danilo Gallinari, who had 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Gallo was 6/16 from the field ad 2/7 points from beyond the arc. Gary Harris was today’s second leading scorer with 19 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists. Wilson Chandler, who started today in the absence of Kenneth Faried, contributed 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Gallo passed Bill Hanzlik and Kenyon Martin tonight to be the 20th Nugget with the most franchise points–4,570 to be exact. Only one other current Nugget is on that list and that would be Kenneth Faried, who is 19th with 4,747. The great Alex English is number one on this list with 21,645 points in his eleven seasons with the Nuggets.

Denver had three players that were were unavailable tonight. Kenneth Faried was out with back spasms, Roy Hibbert was active but did not play in his first game in Denver, and Malik Beasley was present but not active, as he was just recalled from the D-League Sioux Falls Skyforce. Juancho Hernangomez, Roy Hibbert, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Mike Miller all ended the game with DNP-CD’s.

The Grizzlies and all scorers were led by Mike Conley, who put up 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Marc Gasol 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Zach Randolph came off of the Grizzlies bench to contribute 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Second chance points and offensive rebounds were a big issue for Denver today. The Nuggets allowed 21 second chance points by the Grizzlies and the rebounding, or lack thereof on the defensive end, were a big reason for today’s loss. Denver only put 13 second chance points on the board this afternoon. The Grizzlies ran the game at their own tempo and Denver was never able to fully run the show.

The Grizzlies have won their last four games in Denver. Fun fact: The Grizzlies are only 9-32 overall in Denver.

The Nuggets drop to 26-33 on the season and are one full game ahead of Portland and Sacramento as they keep their hold on the eighth seed. The Trail Blazers are currently playing the Raptors, so be sure to look out for the outcome of that game.

Nuggets: Grizzlies:

FG%: 44% 45%

3PT%: 32.4% 33.3%

FT: 76.5% 88%

Rebounds: 39 49

Assists: 26 21

Steals: 9 9

Blocks: 3 2

Turnovers: 13 15

Points in Paint: 48 38

Fast Break Points: 8 4

The Nuggets will travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Tuesday to end their February run before traveling to Milwaukee to kick March off. They will then travel back home and play Charlotte on Saturday here in the Mile High.

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Rafael Torres started his writing career 7 years ago. Rafael began his career on NBA-411.com and decided to open his own sports website. Rafael founded Real Ball Insiders in 2015 and has also been featured in ESPN True Hoops, Bleacher Report and Sir Charles In Charge from Fansided. He closely follows the Denver Nuggets.